The Florida Municipal Communicators Association Annual Conference will be held May 18-19, 2023, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Lake Buena Vista South in Kissimmee, Florida. This fast-paced conference is designed for local government communications and public information professionals to learn, share and connect. It features a variety of session formats to maximize learning, including an Idea Lab Networking Reception featuring exhibitors who cater specifically to the communications profession.
Thursday, May 18, 2023
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Registration Desk Open
9:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Pre-Conference Workshop: "The Power of Storytelling in Government Communication
Speaker: Jamie Holmes, Top Story Studios
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Opening Keynote Address: "Cracking the Code" to Effective Communication in the Age of Tribalism
Keynote Speaker: Ryan Houck, Author, Speaker, Political Strategist
Increasingly, many Democrats and Republicans seem to regard each other as mortal enemies, instead of merely political opponents. Why is it so difficult for these two sides to understand each other? Why have our politics become so apocalyptic in tone and tenor? And how can modern communicators “bypass the bias” to deliver timely, effective and factual information to citizens. Ryan Houck is a nationally known author, speaker and political strategist who draws upon groundbreaking research in political science and social psychology to help us “hack” a complex media landscape that often seems hopelessly fact-free, fragmented and divisive.
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Idea Lab Session
It’s going down in the Idea Lab! Learn how our idea lab vendors can benefit you and your municipality! A select few will give short presentations on their products with time for Q&A.
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Reaching Your Community Where They Are (Large/Medium-Sized Cities)
You have a dream team of communications professionals that can do it all, but are they effectively engaging with the residents of your community? Hear from local government team members and engagement experts on how they reach residents with creative social campaigns, and approach major issues within our local communities.
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Simplifying Citizen Engagement (Small/Medium-Sized Cities)
Are you a one-person band or a small but mighty team wanting to connect with your thousands of residents in a meaningful way? This workshop will provide easy-to-use tools to engage with the citizens in your city, town or village in real time. Whether it’s a pothole or a matter for the police, you’ll learn ways to make that part of your job much easier.
4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Hands-On Media Training: Help Is On The Way
Did you know there is a team of trained communication professionals ready to deploy in an emergency in your city, town or village? The PIO Deployment Team works with local public affairs officers to provide people in the incident area with the most accurate and timely information possible. In this hands-on media training, you’ll learn tactics, strategies and best practices to improve your crisis communications.
5:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Idea Lab Networking Reception
Meet with vendors who have innovative services and products that benefit your municipalities and mingle/network with other communication professionals.
6:30 p.m.
Dinner with New Faces (on own)
Friday,May 19, 2023
6:30 a.m. - 7:15 a.m.
Sunrise Yoga
8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Registration Desk Open
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Business Meeting
Let’s start this day by getting the business out of the way. Join us for our Annual Business Meeting.
Presiding: Debb Vitraelli, President, FMCA, Communications & Marketing Administrator, City of Oldsmar
Call to Order, Pledge, Opening Remarks, FMCA Business
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Lightning Talk: Taking It To The Streets
Have you ever considered effectively leveraging neighborhood groups such as homeowners’ associations to get ahead of issues while also keeping your residents happy and informed? The City of Naples has a great formula to increase engagement and input at the citizen level. You’ll learn all about it in this lightning talk session.
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Proactive, Deliberate Internal Communications
In a day and age where remote work is becoming more popular, and it’s taking even more effort to ensure everyone on your team is singing from the same hymnal —proactive, deliberate internal communication systems are key. Hear from representatives on how they ensure their team members from coast to coast and continent to continent stay engaged, informed and on one accord.
10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Municipal Management Matters
What matters to your city manager/elected officials – and how can communications support that? Join us for a fireside chat with long-time city leaders. This session will discuss how city storytellers can best serve its citizen while championing the visions of local government-appointed and elected leaders.
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
FMCA Awards Luncheon + Installation
We’ve learned, grown, and networked; now it’s time to celebrate! Honor your colleagues on their accomplishments with the FMCA Outstanding Awards Program, where we’ll also recognize the FMCA Rising Star and Municipal Communicator of the Year. We’ll close out our amazing time together installing FMCA’s new President.
2:00 p.m.
Conference Adjourns